PGx News

After 20 years of National Institute of Health funding, the Pharmacogenomics Research Network, PGRN, is now independent scientific society on July 1st, 2020.  Thank you for your membership support to establish the new PGRN! The transition is complete, and we have exceeded our membership goals and are off to a great start!

The PGRN Officers and Councilors have a lot planned for the coming months. The mission of the Pharmacogenomics Research Network, henceforth referred to as the “Network” is to catalyze and lead research in precision medicine for the discovery and translation of genomic variation influencing therapeutic and adverse drug effects.  This will be accomplished by: 1) providing a forum to advance, promote, support, encourage and facilitate communication among researchers, educators and practitioners in pharmacogenomics and related sciences through scientific meetings, seminars, publications and related activities; 2) advancing and promoting research in pharmacogenomics; and 3) providing awareness of the national and international importance of pharmacogenomics.

For PGRN members, please don’t forget to join us on July 17 at 11 AM Eastern Time for the inaugural Research In Progress (RIPS) webinar by Alan Shuldiner, MD. Dr. Shuldiner will speak on "Building bridges between industry, academia, health care systems and communities to advance Precision Medicine". A schedule of upcoming RIPS webinars can be found here. If you are interested in joining the PGRN, you can become a member at www.pgrn.org.

Overview

We are pleased to announce a new fellowship sponsored by UCSF and Genentech, and focused on regulatory science. In the past decade, a plethora of new healthcare products have been developed, including innovative drugs and biologics, genome and cell-based therapies, mobile health products and implantable devices. Corresponding to the surge in these innovative products, there has been a scarcity of well-trained individuals to expertly develop and evaluate them for safe and effective use. Importantly, there is a new need for individuals who have computational training to apply their skills to the development of drugs, biologics, and medical diagnostics. The educational mission of UCSF in regulatory science is to train a new generation of scientists by providing opportunities to broaden their knowledge about tools, methods, and standards to support regulatory science and medical product development. The UCSF/Genentech postdoctoral fellowship is an experiential program that will provide the most outstanding postdocs with unique immersion experiences in regulatory science research and drug development in areas such as Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics.

Training Components

Our objective is that the fellow should have a sufficient foundation and breadth in his/her training to engage in and serve as an ambassador for regulatory science research and education. The fellow will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with education level and experience. The fellow will spend the first year at UCSF, and the second year, when projects are available, the fellow will have an opportunity to train at the FDA. This period of time is flexible, from 3 to 12 months. At the end of two years, the fellow will complete an additional year (after completion of the academic and FDA rotations) at Genentech, Inc. The anticipated start date of the first year fellowship in academia will be on or around August 1, 2020. The fellowship components are:

Research and Training at UCSF (~1 year)

During the first year, the fellow is expected to spend at least 90% of his/her time on a scientific research project. The research project will either extend an existing project or will be an entirely new one-year project. In addition to research, the fellow will be expected to complete UCSF-Stanford CERSI courses focusing on regulatory science and drug development and actively participate in UCSF-Stanford CERSI scientific seminars and symposia. Furthermore, the fellow will take part in regularly scheduled networking and mentoring events.

Immersion Experience at FDA (3-12 months)

During the second year, the fellow, under the mentorship of faculty, will seek training opportunities at the FDA through FDA funding mechanisms such as ORISE. The fellow will be paired with a mentor at the FDA and will work alongside clinicians, engineers, or other scientists in regulatory science research with a focus in Clinical Pharmacology and/or Pharmacometrics. The fellow will either continue his/her research project or will be involved in a new project. Research projects interests will be discussed with the fellow during his/her first year. The fellow will have an opportunity to attend seminars and workshops held at the FDA augmenting the fellow’s learning experience about different aspects of regulatory science and drug development. Furthermore, the fellow will be required to attend an annual UCSF-Stanford CERSI symposium in regulatory science.

Immersion Experience in Industry (1 year)

At the end of two years, the fellow will complete an additional year (after completion of the academic and FDA rotations) at Genentech, Inc. This year will complement and extend his/her training in regulatory science, drug development, Clinical Pharmacology, and Pharmacometrics. The fellow will be assigned a mentor at Genentech, Inc. and will work alongside scientists in the Department of Clinical Pharmacology at Genentech while continuing to be mentored by his/her academic faculty. The mentors will help the fellow design the research project. The fellow will be required to attend an annual UCSF-Stanford CERSI symposium in regulatory science.

Statement of Completion and Employment

Fellows will receive a document certifying their participation in the regulatory science fellowship upon completion of all training components. Immersive experiences in academia and at the FDA do not guarantee job placements.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must hold a PhD-level degree in pharmaceutical sciences, chemical and biomedical engineering, applied mathematics, or biomedical sciences or another related field, or hold a PharmD degree. Preferably the candidate has experience of mathematical modeling and simulation in pharmacology or biology (e.g. population PK/PD modeling, PBPK, quantitative systems pharmacology, biology) or experience in transporter biology. The candidate must have an excellent record of achievement. Due to the fact that the Fellow will perform work at the FDA, all candidates must be a U.S. citizen or otherwise meet the ORISE Non-U.S. Citizen Requirements (https://orise.orau.gov/fda/applicants/default.html#immigrant). If the Fellow is not approved for a rotation at FDA, intense didactic courses and other training in FDA regulatory sciences will be arranged during the first year training at UCSF. Applicants cannot be current FDA employees, contractors, or fellows.

Application Process

Applicants are to submit items 1-6 of the required documents in the order listed below as a single PDF via email by Monday, June 15, 2020 to Lawrence.Lin@ucsf.edu. The PDF filename should follow this format: “LastName_UCSF/Genentech Fellowship Application.pdf”.

The following documents are required for a complete application:

1. Application cover page stating: Applicant’s First and Last Name, Highest Degree, Degree Granting Institution, Current Affiliation, Email Address, Phone Number, Street Address, City, State/Country, Postal Code.
2. Statement of interest (1,000 word maximum) describing the applicant’s professional background and qualifications, regulatory science interests, skills to be acquired, and career goals, including how the fellowship would support those goals
3. Curriculum vitae (5 page maximum)
4. Scientific publications or other writing samples (submit up to 2 publications). Applicant should indicate authorship role in the samples provided (i.e., primary drafter or other role). Publications are intended to gauge the research and writing capability of applicants and do not necessarily need to be on the topic of regulatory science.
5. One letter of reference from the current research advisor to be submitted directly via email to Lawrence.Lin@ucsf.edu and must be received by the application deadline.
6. Names of two additional references with complete contact information.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by UCSF faculty and Genentech scientists.

The UCSF/Genentech postdoctoral fellowship in regulatory science is supported in part by Genentech, Inc.

​After 20 years of NIH funding, the Pharmacogenomics Research Network (PGRN) is transitioning to an independent, nonprofit scientific society, and we are inviting all interested individuals to sign up to become a member of the new PGRN! The independent scientific society will continue many of the functions of the current PGRN, and we encourage you to join today to stay involved. Benefits of joining the new PGRN include:

• Reduced registration fees for PGRN meetings and workshops, including member receptions and poster sessions at annual meetings with large scientific societies such as ASHG and ASCPT
• Participation in member calls/webinars and Research in Progress Seminars
• Membership on PGRN program committees for meetings and workshops
• Network with colleagues and establish collaborations
• Leadership opportunities for members (e.g., serve on PGRN committees, board, and as leaders)
• Awards for trainees and mentorship opportunities
• Access to PGRN web pages highlighting pharmacogenomics tools and resources, events and other useful information for PGx research, education and clinical practice

Special membership rates are available for trainees, multi-year memberships, early sign ups and those from developing countries. In addition, take advantage of the opportunity to be listed on the PGRN website as a founding member if you choose that option during signup.

Sign up

The College of Pharmacy in Dalhousie’s Faculty of Health invites applications from qualified candidates for a full-time, tenure stream faculty position at either the Assistant or Associate Professor level, depending on the candidate. Exceptional cases at the Professor level may be considered. The anticipated start date on or before January 1, 2021.

Dalhousie University is comprised of 6,000 faculty and staff amongst its 13 faculties. Current enrollment is 18,500 graduate and undergraduate students. As the largest university in the Maritimes and a member of Canada’s U15 research-intensive university group, Dal is an influential driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development.

The Faculty of Health’s faculty, staff and students are committed to improving the well-being of individuals, families, communities and populations through diverse health programming, collaborative research and strong community partnerships. The Faculty of Health is one of the largest faculties at Dalhousie, comprised of eight schools, one college and one program, more than 200 faculty members, 80 staff members and over 3,000 students. With the most programmatically diverse health faculty in Canada, our students are exposed to a broad range of health topics and learning experiences.

The College of Pharmacy’s mission is to enhance health and wellness through pharmaceutical education, research and community service. Through our work, we support the conscientious use of medications in society. The College of Pharmacy offers an entry to practice BSc Pharm (last graduating class 2023), an entry to practice PharmD (enrollment begins September 2020), and an MSc in Pharmaceutical Science. Supervision of PhD students is available through the PhD in Health and Interdisciplinary PhD programs or through cross-appointment to other Departments.

The successful candidate will hold a PhD or equivalent degree (e.g. a postgraduate PharmD or other postgraduate degree with a research component) and postdoctoral experience (with a minimum of 2 years preferred) with demonstrated expertise in pharmacogenomics. Evidence of scholarly contributions to pharmacogenomics is required. Expertise of the candidate must be supported by an excellent scientific publication record and/or grant capture commensurate with level of experience and a fundable research plan. The incumbent will have demonstrated ability or potential for excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching in pharmacogenomics and pharmacokinetic topics that complement our existing core Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacy Practice teaching programs, as well as excellent oral and written communication skills.

The successful candidate is expected to secure extramural research funding, including national tri-council funding and lead an innovative and collaborative research program aimed at applying their expertise to drug discovery, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and/or the implementation of pharmacogenomics in pharmacy practice with the ultimate goal of improving medication use. This position will complement the College’s core research strengths in Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics, Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics and Medicinal Chemistry and will contribute to Faculty’s strategy to achieve a critical mass of strong faculty in our focused areas of research.

The successful candidate will be required to teach undergraduate/graduate students as well as mentor and supervise graduate students. Teaching assignments will include teaching in the BSc Pharm/PharmD problem-based learning curricula and didactic courses and MSc Pharmaceutical Sciences courses to reflect the expertise of the successful candidate within the needs of the College. The candidate is expected to become an active and engaged member of the College, Faculty and University. Activities at local, national and international levels are expected to promote continuous improvement in research, teaching and learning at Dalhousie.

Applicants must submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) describing their qualifications and experience; a Curriculum Vitae including a list of publications; and a statement of teaching experience, interests and teaching philosophy (maximum 1 page). Applicants must also submit an original, innovative 5-year research plan (maximum 3 pages) that includes a summary of objectives, methodological approaches, potential partnerships and collaborators, target funding agencies and how the proposed research may fit within the Faculty’s core research strengths (https://www.dal.ca/faculty/health/research/our-research.html). Please submit directly to PeopleAdmin. Review of applications will begin on May 15, 2020 and continue until the position is filled.

This position is subject to final budgetary approval. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Dalhousie University is committed to fostering a collegial culture grounded in diversity and inclusiveness. The university encourages applications from Indigenous persons, persons with a disability, racially visible persons, women, persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. For more information, please visit https://www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity.